- News & Press ReleasesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogThe Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation has recognized Anne Arundel Medical Center (AAMC) as an “LGBTQ Healthcare Equality Top Performer” for the second year in a row. The HRC Foundation is the educational arm of the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) civil rights organization. AAMC earned the distinction for its LGBTQ-inclusive policies and practices in four categories: non-discrimination and staff training; patient services and support; employee benefits and policies; and community and patient engagement. “AAMC is committed to creating an environment that’s equitable and inclusive for our patients, visitors, workforce and community,” said Shirley Knelly, vice president of quality, chief compliance officer and executive sponsor of the LGBTQIA Business Resource Group at AAMC. “We are very proud to be recognized for a second year in a row, and we are particularly proud of the accomplishments of our Health Equity Task Force in working to eliminate health disparities in the community and further strengthening our commitment to a diverse and inclusive workplace.” READ MORE: Anne Arundel Medical Center receives Carolyn Boone Lewis Equity of Care Award from the American Hospital Association AAMC’s LGBTQ Healthcare Equality Top Performer designation is reported in the 12th edition of the Healthcare Equality Index (HEI). A record 680 healthcare facilities actively participated in the HEI 2019 survey. Among participants, 148 earned the LGBTQ Healthcare Equality Top Performer designation. “The health care facilities that participate in HRC’s Healthcare Equality Index are making clear that they stand on the side of fairness and are committed to providing inclusive care to their LGBTQ patients,” said HRC President Alphonso David. “Going beyond inclusive non-discrimination policies, these healthcare facilities are adopting best practices in the areas of LGBTQ patient care and support, employee policies and benefits, and LGBTQ patient and community engagement. We commend all of the HEI participants for their commitment to providing inclusive care for all.”
- Behavioral Health, PediatricsGeneral Page Tier 3BlogMore than 38 million girls and boys under age 19 participate in organized sports each year in the United States. Among these kids, injury—from minor sprains to broken bones—is common. In fact, one in three young athletes will miss practice or games due to an injury. When athletes are injured, they want to get back in the game as soon as possible. The doctors treating them will determine the best way to repair their injuries and may prescribe pain medications. This is where some young people can fall into the trap of opioid addiction. A National Crisis Over the past two decades, addiction to opioids, which includes narcotic painkillers like Vicodin, OxyContin and Percocet—as well as heroin—has soared across the nation. In Anne Arundel County, 1,083 overdoses of heroin and other opioids were reported in 2018, according to the county Health Department. In 2015, then-Anne Arundel County Executive Steve Schuh declared a public health emergency related to heroin abuse and Maryland Governor Larry Hogan called it a statewide crisis, creating the Heroin and Opioid Emergency Task Force. Prescription narcotic abuse is often a first step to heroin addiction. Narcotic painkillers are easy to get hooked on, and when people can’t get enough pain medication from doctors to satisfy their need, they may turn to street sources. A shocking 80 percent of all heroin users made the switch to heroin after abusing narcotic painkillers, according to the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. “Substance abuse disorder can happen unexpectedly. Opioid addiction can start with a simple tooth extraction or sports injury. If the pain medication is not taken as prescribed by a doctor, the tolerance level for the drug increases and you will need more of the drug to get the same effect,” says Keshia Brooks, supervisor of prevention education and family wellness at Pathways, Anne Arundel Medical Center’s (AAMC) substance abuse disorder treatment facility. The Danger for Athletes A study in the Journal of Adolescent Health found that boys who participate in organized sports have a higher chance of being prescribed narcotics and a higher chance of abusing them than boys who do not play sports. However, girls are more likely to be prescribed narcotics and to abuse them than boys, whether or not they play sports. Kwasi Sharif, MD, pain management physician with AAMG Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Specialists, urges patients to consider alternative ways to manage their pain. That could include physical therapy, exercise or other medications that are not opioids. He adds that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends non-opioid treatment for chronic pain, outside of cancer treatment, palliative care and end-of-life care. “If parents and their student athlete decide on use of opioids, it is crucial that they use the lowest possible effective dosage to reduce risks of opioid use disorder and overdose,” Dr. Sharif says. Programs at Pathways Outpatient Opioid Detox Program This program allows patients to safely withdraw from opioids over a period of three to six days, followed by ongoing professional support in recovery. For more details, visit PathwaysProgram.org or call 443-481-5400. Family Wellness Workshop A therapeutic and educational program for family members of adults or teens with substance use disorders brings together family members for on-site group therapy, educational sessions and personal growth. The program equips family members with communication skills, relapse prevention strategies and coping mechanisms for ongoing recovery. Full-day and weekend sessions are available. Call 410-573-5449 or visit PathwaysProgram.org for a complete schedule. Alcohol and Drug Education Program This program teaches adolescents about the current drug trends. It also provides training for parents on how to use Narcan, an opioid overdose reversing drug. This is a free program for Anne Arundel County teens ages 13-18 and their parents. For more details, please call 410-573-5422. Be Cautious About Narcotics “If a child is dealing with a sports injury and needs medication for pain, parents should first educate themselves on the various types of pain medications available and their side effects,” Keshia says. If a physician prescribes an opioid for your child, have a conversation with the physician about the medication, she says. If possible, be the one to monitor and dispense it to your child. “If given an opioid, ask about how long the pain medication should be taken before it can become a problem for the child,” Keshia says. “Parents should also ask what else is available besides opioids that will help with the pain. Can the child take a Tylenol or Ibuprofen?” If you do have leftover pills from an opioid prescription, ask your pharmacy if they accept unused pills, or take them to a medication disposal box. AAMC has two medication disposal drop boxes to dispose of unused or expired medications. The drop boxes are at MedPark Professional Pharmacy, located in the AAMC Sajak Pavilion, suite 170, 2002 Medical Parkway, Annapolis, Md., and at Arnold Professional Pharmacy, 1460 Ritchie Highway, Arnold, Md. READ MORE: Anne Arundel Medical Center installs drop boxes for unused or expired medications Medication Disposal The Anne Arundel County Police Department has drop boxes at four locations for the safe disposal of unused, expired or unwanted medications. Residents can drop off medications at any time daily at the following four district stations: Northern District located at 939 Hammonds Lane in Baltimore, Maryland. Southern District located at 35 Stepneys Lane in Edgewater, Maryland. Eastern District located at 204 Pasadena Road in Pasadena, Maryland. Western District located at 8273 Telegraph Road in Odenton, Maryland. Communication Is Key “It is very important that parents talk to their children about opioids,” Keshia says. “Many news reports, social media, advertisements and commercials can contribute to the start of a conversation about drugs. Parents can explain to the child how some medications, especially opioids, can affect you in a negative way if not taken as prescribed and abused.” She advises parents to discuss the signs and symptoms of substance abuse. “Talk about what drug abuse really is: Taking medication without permission from the parents or the doctor, taking someone else’s medication, taking too much medication, or sharing medication with friends. Discuss the number of overdoses and deaths that opioids have caused right in their own community,” Keshia says. “This conversation should happen when you are teaching a child right from wrong, and should gradually increase in knowledge and understanding as the child grows up.” Keshia also urges parents to educate themselves on what opioids are and what an overdose looks like, as well as take advantage of Narcan training opportunities. “Sports injuries are just one of many paths young people can follow to addiction, but we have to fight this crisis on all fronts, and we don’t want parents left saying, ‘I wish I knew,’” says AAMC Chief Medical Officer Mitchell Schwartz, MD. “Beyond educating parents, we’re encouraging area primary care providers, who are often on the front lines of treating sports-related and other injuries, to know the best practices for prescribing narcotics.” “And one of the most important roles the hospital can play in the community is to talk openly about this, removing the stigma associated with addiction so people aren’t ashamed to get help for themselves or their loved ones,” adds Dr. Schwartz. Removing the stigma is a big step toward ending the crisis. AAMC’s Pathways Treatment Center offers individualized substance abuse and mental health treatment. Call 443-481-5400 for more information. Authors Keshia Brooks, BSPH, MBA, is a prevention education coordinator at Pathways, AAMC’s substance abuse and mental health treatment facility. You can reach her office at 410-573-5400. Dr. Kwasi Sharif, MD, is a pain management physician with AAMG Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Specialists. You can reach him at 410-268-8862. Mitchell Schwartz, MD, is AAMC’s chief medical officer. Originally published Nov. 17, 2015. Last updated Aug. 26, 2019.
- PediatricsGeneral Page Tier 3BlogSix years ago I became a first-time mom to a precious baby boy. I had waited 40 long weeks to meet this new little person. After he was born, I was in complete awe of what my body had accomplished and was excited to discover everything motherhood would bring. I was ready for dirty diapers, sleepless nights and showerless days. What I wasn’t prepared for was the challenge of breastfeeding. I didn’t know how time-consuming nursing would be. I remember thinking, “This isn’t what the books say!” Suddenly I felt like I was treading water. It was lonely and isolating. I had no one to talk to and felt like I was stuck at home all day and night, because surely the second I tried to leave the house it would be time for my baby to eat again. I was dedicated to make breastfeeding work for me and decided to attend the breastfeeding support group at AAMC. In walked the vibrant Kim Knight, board-certified lactation consultant, to a room full of breastfeeding moms who were all experiencing their own unique challenges. Suddenly I had hope! I left each group meeting with more confidence and joy. I learned to stress less, live life more and that the ‘books’ aren’t always right when it comes to breastfeeding. My baby’s nursing pattern was normal. In fact, his frequent nursing was encouraging my body to establish a good milk supply. I learned about the unique supply and demand milk production process. My body would learn to supply exactly what my baby was demanding. It’s amazing when you stop to think about it! This was my first lesson in trusting my body and my baby, and trusting myself as a mother. We knew what we were doing after all! I quickly learned that so many moms need to hear the message that nursing can be challenging, but you can do it if you want. You just need a little education and the right support and resources. Often, moms think their milk supply is low when it really isn’t. At that very first support group there was a sweet mom who just could not trust that her body was enough. She thought she had to pump every feed to make sure she had enough milk for her baby. She became exhausted, stressing over every ounce she did or did not pump. You don’t need to stress about the numbers and ounces. Your baby is your proof. As long as your baby is gaining weight on breast milk, then your supply is good. I’ve also learned along the way that the amount of milk you pump is not an accurate measure of how much your baby is getting when they feed directly from your breast. Your baby is much more efficient than your pump! I had no clue how many ounces of milk my baby was getting, but I saw him growing and thriving. I started to appreciate his sweet little rolls that I worked so hard to give him! That was my evidence. One of our first jobs as a mom is to be able to feed our baby. If you choose to breastfeed and it’s not going well, it can be devastating. I can’t stress enough the value of a support network, whether it’s an in-person group, a Facebook group or a couple of friends who understand. Also, determining your personal breastfeeding goals is such an important part of the journey. Everyone’s journey is different. Some women give pacifiers, some women exclusively pump, some women schedule feedings and some women nurse on demand. There are so many ways to breastfeed and they’re all OK! At the end of the day you have to know you are doing an amazing thing for your child, and you are always enough. Join an Online Support Group The Milk Makers Community Facebook group is a breastfeeding support group started by Carly Glover in 2010. The group started with six moms from AAMC’s breastfeeding support group, and has grown to almost 2,000 local moms. The group welcomes and supports ALL local moms regardless of their personal choices when it comes to feeding their baby. To join, send Carly and the administrators a message. The AAMC Smart Parents Facebook group is a place for Moms and Dads to ask questions about their journey through parenthood and get answers from local parents and AAMC experts. Author Carly Glover is the founder of Milk Makers Community, doula with Annapolis Area Doulas and mother of four. Through her business, Carly is committed to supporting moms in their journey through pregnancy, birthing and post-partum, and helping instill confidence in their breastfeeding relationship. Breastfeeding Resources Breastfeeding Basics Class: Learn how to prepare for breastfeeding, how to hold your baby, how often and how long to feed, how to avoid common problems and much more. Breastfeeding Warm Line: Anne Arundel Medical Center’s lactation staff is available to answer any questions you might have about breastfeeding. You can reach our consultants seven days a week via our Warm Line at 443-481-6977. Simply leave a message and they’ll return your call between 9 am and 4 pm the same day. You can also e-mail our lactation staff anytime at [email protected]. Breastfeeding Support Group: Breastfeeding mothers are welcome to this gathering on the second and fourth Thursday of each month. The group is led by Kim Knight, a board-certified lactation consultant. The group is very informal and welcoming to breastfeeding mothers regardless of experience or degree of commitment. Bring your baby! Find a Lactation Consultant: A board-certified lactation consultant can help address your breastfeeding concerns or challenges. You can find one in your area through the United States Lactation Consultant Association directory. Back to Work and Breastfeeding Support Group: Discuss questions and concerns common to nursing moms who returned to work. Share your experiences and hear new ideas on how to continue to work and breastfeed successfully. This group meets the first Friday of every month at the Big Vanilla in Pasadena. AAMC Smart Parents: Join our Facebook community focused on the journey of parenthood. This is a safe, non-judgmental group to ask questions and get answers from local moms and dads, and AAMC experts. Originally published April 13, 2016. Last updated Aug. 26, 2019.
- PediatricsGeneral Page Tier 3BlogIt’s a nightmare scenario for many parents — your child has head lice. Unfortunately, it’s also pretty common. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are an estimated 6 million to 12 million cases of lice each year in the U.S. among children ages 3 to 11. An average of 500 cases of head lice are found among Anne Arundel County students yearly, according to the county Department of Health. A discovery of head lice can be unsettling for children and their parents. So what do you need to know as your kids head back to the classroom? Facts about head lice Head lice are blood-sucking parasites that can usually be found on people’s heads, and sometimes on their eyebrows and eyelashes. Head lice move by crawling. They cannot hop or fly. The bugs spread through personal contact, such as head-to-head touch. They can also spread through contact with an item such as a comb, scarf, or hat used or worn by someone with head lice, though that is less common. Having lice doesn’t mean you are dirty. A lice infestation has nothing to do with personal hygiene. Symptoms can include itching, sores on the head from scratching, and difficulty sleeping because head lice are most active in the dark. And while they are a nuisance, head lice don’t spread disease. They are not a public health hazard. How to treat head lice If someone in your home has head lice, check every member of your household for lice and nits (tiny, grayish-white eggs.) Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about over-the-counter or prescription shampoos. These shampoos will kill lice, but may not kill all of the nits. You may have to treat again in seven to 10 days. Call your doctor if two rounds of lice treatment are unsuccessful. You should also consult your doctor before treating children who are younger than two years old. To remove nits, use a fine-toothed, metal comb, or pick the nits off the hair shaft with fingers or tweezers. Washing, soaking and drying items at temperatures higher than 130 degrees Fahrenheit can kill lice and nits. You only need to clean items that have been in contact with an infected person’s head in the 48 hours before treatment begins. The CDC doesn’t recommend fumigating your home or using insecticide sprays. Preventing the spread of lice In Anne Arundel County, students with have lice or nits less than a quarter of an inch from their scalp must undergo treatment before returning to school. Nits that are more than a quarter of an inch from the scalp are usually not viable and are unlikely to spread. As your children head back to school this year, remind them to avoid head-to-head contact with other children. They should also avoid sharing combs, brushes, hats and other items that touch the head. Originally published Aug. 22, 2017. Last updated Aug. 26, 2019.
- OrthopedicsGeneral Page Tier 3BlogThe start of a new school year means fall sports season is here as well. It’s important to be smart about returning to sports to help your child prevent injuries. Here are 12 tips to prevent problems when your child is back on the field: Stay active. If your child is not participating in organized sports over the summer, help them stay active to maintain some cardiovascular fitness. This way, it will be easier for them to get back into shape for the fall season. Build slowly. Sports can be demanding. Kids should not go from doing nothing to doing high demand exercise without some prep work. One week is not enough to “get into shape.” It’s best to build slowly over several weeks to prepare. Eat well. It’s easy to slip into bad eating habits over the summer. But that makes it hard for your child to get back to a good fitness level needed for sports. Sticking with good eating habits all year will give them the building blocks for a healthy body and excellent sports performance. Diversify. In today’s sports landscape, youth athletes have far more options for participating in their favorite sport all year round. Single-sport youth athletes have a much higher rate of overuse injury and burnout. Studies show that participating in different sports throughout the year can improve performance in the primary sport more than practicing in one sport all year. Your child can learn multiple skills from other sports that can contribute to their primary sport. Sports should be fun. Approximately 6 percent of youth athletes participate in collegiate level sports. But the chance of your child having a career playing sports is less than one in 1,000. The other 999 kids will use their education for their livelihood. So focus on the fun of sports, teaching teamwork and other excellent life skills. Be supportive. Winning is fun but it’s not everything. It’s important to be a supportive parent and cheer for the great plays. Enjoyment and participation are far more important to your child in the long run. Emphasize the good efforts and improvements over the season. Encourage participation regardless of athletic ability. Incorporate injury prevention routines into the warm up. This includes proper hydration, stretching and light cardio. You can find more sport specific recommendations at www.stopsportsinjuries.org. Don’t push through pain. Youth athletes should not have chronic pain. A sore muscle or bruise is normal, but routine pain is not. You should talk to a doctor if your child develops an overuse injury. Get an annual sports physical. Serious injury or sports-related death is extremely rare but often recognizable to a trained medical professional. An annual sports physical is an important part of getting your child ready to play. Check your equipment. Kids grow between seasons. Equipment wears out in time. Using improperly fitting or broken equipment is a recipe for injury. Stretch both before and after participation. A good warm up and a good cool down are equally important. Hydrate! The start of fall sports is often at the end of the summer, when the weather is still very hot. Proper hydration and temperature control is crucial for prevention of heat exhaustion and muscle fatigue. Injury prevention and knowledge about what precautions kids should take is just as important for coaches as it is for parents and young athletes. If you notice a change in your child’s technique, such as limping when running, rubbing a leg during activity or grasping a wrist, you should pull the athlete out of play. If you see that the problem continues, consider getting an assessment for your child before returning to play. Make sure your young athlete is feeling good and not suffering through an injury. Kids should enjoy sports. So go out there, play and have fun! Author Ben Petre, MD, is a sports medicine doctor and surgeon at Anne Arundel Medical Orthopedics. He can be reached at 410-268-8862. For more information visit aamcortho.com. Originally published July 23, 2018. Last updated Aug. 26, 2019.
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